Saturday, October 31, 2009

If one of your new year’s resolutions is to look after your body this year, you are not alone! Now February has arrived, no doubt your good intentions are long gone, however, small changes in your lifestyle can have an ongoing effect on your health and wellbeing. Get your resolution back on track with these simple tips:

1. Drink more water instead of drinking fizzy drinks. If you find water too boring, add a squeeze of fresh lemon or zesty lime juice to it.

2. Workout with a friend, you can encourage one another to stay on track as its hard going it alone!

3. Don’t skip meals. Even a piece of fruit is a better choice than nothing and will help keep your metabolism up and ticking over.

4. Eat more fruit and more veges. Substitution here is the key, instead of having a side of fries, make a healthier choice and have a side of salad.

5. Swap out unhealthy snacks for healthy ones, reach for the fat free cheese sticks instead of the fat full potato chips.

6. Take some time out each day to relax, even if it is just a 5 minute walk around the block at lunch time. Make sure you get some fresh air!

7. Stretch - Get yourself moving in the office - if you are sitting at your desk all day, make sure you stop every hour or so, to get up and to stretch your legs.

8. Have fun! This is what life is all about, so make time to stop to “smell the roses” and enjoy the company of friends and loved ones. Laughter is great medicine for a lot of modern day stress and anxiety.

9. Treat yourself every so often with a massage or spa day! Look after your physical as well as your mental health.

10. Be kind to yourself and others. You will always feel happier and healthier with a smile on your face.

About the Author: If you need some regular encouragement to stay fit and healthy and to get the most out of your life, check out the “Stay Fit” blog on extrahealthy.info located here: http://stay-fit.extrahealthy.info.

Friday, October 30, 2009

There's a lot of buzz on whether cell phones emit enough radiation to cause ill health effects. This concern arises because the cell phone is placed close to the head during use. Hence it puts the radiation in direct contact with the tissue in the head.
Cell phones have low-power transmitters in them. Most car phones have a transmitter power of 3 watts. A handheld cell phone operates on about 0.75 to 1 watt of power. The position of a transmitter inside a phone varies depending on the manufacturer, but it is usually in close proximity to the phone's antenna. The radio waves that send the encoded signal are made up of electromagnetic radiation.
Electromagnetic radiation is made up of waves of electric and magnetic energy moving at the speed of light, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). When talking on a cell phone, most users place the phone against the head. In this position, there is a possibility that some of the electromagnetic radiation will be absorbed by human tissue.
All cell phones emit some amount of electromagnetic radiation i.e. cell phone radiation. Given the close proximity of the phone to the head, it is possible for the cell phone radiation to cause some type of harm to the 118 million cell phone users in the United States. What is being debated is how much cell phone radiation is considered unsafe and if there are any potential long-term effects of cell-phone radiation exposure.
The FDA states that "the available scientific evidence does not demonstrate any adverse health effects associated with the use of mobile phones." However, that doesn't mean that the potential for harm from electromagnetic radiation doesn't exist. Cell phone radiation can damage human tissue if it is exposed to high levels of radiation, according to the FCC. RF radiation has the ability to heat human tissue, much like the way microwave ovens heat food. Damage to tissue can be caused by exposure to RF radiation because the body is not equipped to dissipate excessive amounts of heat. The eyes are particularly vulnerable due to the lack of blood flow in that area.
The added concern with non-ionizing radiation (the type of radiation associated with cell phones) is that it could have long-term effects. Although it may not immediately cause damage to tissue, scientists are still unsure about whether prolonged exposure could create problems. This is a sensitive issue because of the millions of people using cell phones today. In 1994, there were 16 million cell phone users in the United States alone. As of July 17, 2001, there were more than 118 million.
Here are a few health problems that may be linked to cell phone radiation:
• Cancer
• Brain tumors
• Alzheimer's
• Parkinson's
• Fatigue
• Headaches
If you are worried about the potential risks of cell-phone radiation, here are few ways to reduce your risk:
• Use a hands-free headset
• Use a phone that places the antenna as far away from you as possible
• Limit calls inside buildings
• Use a health protector such as Chi Waveguard. Available for only $19.95. It neutralizes the negative effects of electromagnetic fields radiated from cell phones or electrical products.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

By Donna L. WatkinsSolomon had wisdom in that statement from Proverbs 17:22. The human body, which God designed, can produce it's own disease fighting chemicals. God has created us "fearfully and wonderfully." These bodies that we walk around in are truly amazing! Evolution is just not smart enough to equip us with the mind-boggling intelligence that our bodies contain!

For example, when you are joyful, your body secretes two types of chemicals that fight cancer and other diseases. When you experience that exhilarating feeling of being truly joyful, it does "good like a medicine."

One type of chemical released in your body when you are joyful is called "neuropeptide." These neuropeptides are the same kind of chemical that cancer patients are injected with at the cost of up to $40,000.00 per shot! And God created our bodies to produce them naturally by having a joyful heart!

Another chemical secreted into the bloodstream, by having a joyful heart, is known as "opioid." (You can see the root word for "opium" which can be a dangerous drug but produces a calming effect.)

Opioids when secreted into the bloodstream enhance the immune system to help fight the common cold. So, is there a cure for the common cold? Yes! A merry heart!

You see, our minds, bodies and spirits are all connected. We are a walking network of amazing super-intelligence! We are not "gods," but we are created "in the image of God."

God has created us so unique. When we are joyful, our minds, bodies and spirits are effected by it. Your mind can sense true joy coming from your spirit, and when your mind senses joy on the radar screen, it sends out "opioids" into the bloodstream which connect with "monocytes." The monocytes receive messages from the opioids which trigger a Pac-Man like response and they begin to eat bacteria and viruses that tear down your immune system.

If you are plagued by fear, worry, stress and anger, you are opening the door to sickness. Your body is not secreting what it needs to keep you vibrant. Is it any wonder Jesus tells us to stop worrying? (Matthew 6). Is it any wonder that the Apostle Paul tells us to stop worrying? ( Phil. 4). Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness and all of your needs will be given unto you. (Matt. 6:33)

Take care of your mind, body and spirit. Have a joyful heart. Stop killing yourself. Allow that wise body God gave you to release those wonderful chemicals in order that you may experience optimum health and performance for His glory!

Proverbs 17:22 - "A merry heart does good, like a medicine."

Donna L. Watkins lives in Central Virginia with her wonderful husband enjoying birds, wildlife, gardening, forests, nature travel and her cat, Squeek. More articles can be found at TheHerbsPlace.com and a free subscription to her mailing, A Healing Moment. http://www.theherbsplace.com/ahm.html